Now, I often make these small half-masks & sell them at my Etsy site. They are affordable and comfortable to wear...I've sold dozens of them.

I got the idea to do one as an Asian dragon, though, and I have to say I find it utterly adorable. It's so colorful and fun! I'll definitely be doing more of these.

I never save the pattern, though, because I like the challenge of drawing something directly on the leather every time (it keeps things fresh for me), so this little guy is one-of-a-kind.

I did him in blue and copper and gold over black...next time I want to make a green and purple and gold one. At the Chinese Lantern Festival in Toronto, I'm always struck by the brightly contrasting colors of Chinese dragons, so I guess I'm trying to capture that effect.

Actually...it's always hard to tell in a flat picture but the scales aren't drawn on; they are carved right into the leather. Then, I dry-brushed color over them after painting the entire mask black, which is probably why the contrast seems so stark.